Lesser-Known Heroes of the BibleEPAPHRODITUS

Philippians 2:25-30, 4:15-20Alf Halvorson preaching

Sunday, June 11, 2017

Preschool Playground Play Date!Come and meet our summer interns! Snow cones and fun provided. Preschoolers must be accompanied by a parent.Wednesday, June 14 | 2:30-3:30 PMRSVP to Becky Funderburk: bfunderburk@mdpc.org

Call for Camp Volunteers!Super Place Camp at MDPC is an exciting VBS experience for children with special needs. We needs LOTS of volun-teers (age 13+) to serve as buddies for these special campers.Camp Dates: July 31-August 4, 9:00 AM-12:30 PMContact Keri Mosk to volunteer: kmosk@mdpc.org

June Is MAM MonthPlease help our Spring Branch neighbors by donating needed items like toothpaste, razors, bar soap, deodorant and shampoo for Memorial Assistance Ministrys pantry. Shopping list fliers are available at info centers. Place do-nations in the carts you see around campus this month!Contact Maritza Pujols-Holguin: mpujols@mdpc.org

Married Life Prep Taught by Brett and Kellie Hurst of Home Encouragement, youll start building your marriage upon a firm foundation. Sundays, July 9-30 | 10:00 AM-12:00 PM | CLC Room 171Details and registration: mlp.mdpc.org

Community Event on FloodingHear the scientific truth about Houstons preventable urban flooding. No political or media spin, just facts from Dr. Sam Brody, PhD, who is conducting research for FEMA on how to alleviate urban flooding across the United States.Tuesday, June 20 | 7:00 PM | Fellowship HallMore info: mcddc.org

#AdultingWhere am I going? What career do I choose? Who do I marry? Why am I here? If this sounds like you and youre a woman age 22-34, join us for a new processing group led by LPC-Interns Katie Ashby and Amanda Grace Caldwell. Wednesdays, July 19-August 23 | 6:30-8:00 PM | MC 116Group size is limited, so sign up quick! Contact Amanda Grace at acaldwell@mdpc.org.

Make a Legacy GiftHelp insure the future of MDPC by making the church a beneficiary of assets like appreciated securities, real estate, and bequests. Your gift enhances our ministries and mis-sions and provides financial resources for special projects and initiatives.To learn more, contact David Eyre at 281-797-6916 or legacygiving@mdpc.org, or visit legacygiving.mdpc.org.

PRELUDE Fantasy from Sonata No. 2 Josef Rheinberger (1839-1901)

WELCOME AND CALL TO WORSHIP Dave Steane

CHORAL INTROIT Laudate, Laudate Dominum Christopher Walker

*HYMN OF PRAISE All Creatures of Our God and King #455; Vs. 1, 5, 6 | Lasst Uns Erfreuen

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH from The Apostles Creed

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE The Gloria Patri Hymn #579

ANTHEM How Great Thou Art arr. Fred Bock (1939-1998)

OFFERTORY O Light of Life Mack Wilberg (b. 1955)

MESSAGE Supporting Characters: Epaphroditus Alf Halvorson

*HYMN OF RESPONSE Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us #387; Vs. 1, 3 | Bradbury

POSTLUDE Prelude in C Major J.S. Bach (1685-1750)

WELCOME Dave Steane (8:30), Meliza Gmez (9:45)

*SONGS OF PRAISE

*MOMENT OF CONFESSION & ASSURANCE Trevor Harris (8:30), Christyn Knoop (9:45)

SONGS OF RESPONSE

GIFTS OF GRATITUDE Dave Steane (8:30), Christyn Knoop (9:45)

MESSAGE Supporting Characters: Epaphroditus Alf Halvorson

RESPONSE OF THE PEOPLE

Musicians in these services: Uvaldo Callejas, bass Meliza Gmez and Michael Middleton, worship leaders George Heathco, guitar Daniel Martinez, keys Asher Pudlo, drums

Musicians in this service: Charles Hausmann, conductor Kathryn White, organist

8:30 & 9:45 AM SERVICES

11:15 AM SERVICE

Coming Attractions at MDPC

MDPC needs your help! Share your summer-fun photos with us using the hashtag #MDPCSummer17 on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Pictures posted to MDPC social media accounts by August 6 will be used in a look-back photo montage and shown in worship in August.

Operating Income 2017 Annual Budget $ 11,400,000 100%Actual Income to Date (June 4, 2017) $ 3,567,838 31%Needed to Meet 2017 Budget $ 7,832,162 69%11612 Memorial Drive | Houston, TX 77024mdpc.org | 713-782-1710

Loving God. Proclaiming Christ. Living Generously. Engaging All.

Today's Chancel Flowers are given by The Riedel Family, in memory of Alan Riedel.

The White Rose is in memory of these MDPC members: Raymond Britton, who passed away May 19, 2017 Howard Blauvelt, who passed away May 22, 2017. Bruce Clauson, who passed away May 27, 2017. Tommie Jaksa, who passed away June 1, 2017

Outreach Ministry Partners 2017This week, we ask that you pray for these partners in ministry that MDPC assists with your support:Hope for Youth builds Christian men-toring relationships with at-risk urban youth, primarily those whose families are staying at Star of Hope shelter. It organizes weekend outreach activities and ongoing development programs. A popular event is Friday Night Live, which includes games, dinner, and a pastor-led Gospel lesson. hopeforyouth.org

Houston Achievement Place helps children and their care-providers develop the relationships and skills nec-essary for success at home, in school, and in life. It provides foster care, adoption pro-grams, and life skills classes. h-a-p.org

The Micah Project ministers to young men who have spent anguished childhoods in impoverished homes or on the streets of Tegucigalpa, Honduras. These youths are taught to be Christian leaders through dis-cipleship, education, and service to others. Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God. Micah 6:8micahprojecthonduras.org

MDPC Coordinating TeamMauricio Chacn | Latino Ministries PastorAmy Delgado | Interim Outreach DirectorBob Giles | Interim Business AdministratorGinny Glass | Communications & Media DirectorMeliza Gmez | Contemporary Music DirectorAlf Halvorson | Senior Pastor Charles Hausmann | Traditional Music DirectorBrett Hurst | Relationships Pastor

Christyn Knoop | Young Adults DirectorGena Kooken | Senior Leadership Ministry Coord.Laura Miller | Youth DirectorRick Myers | Caring Ministries PastorRachel Poysky | Childrens PastorDave Steane | Executive PastorKathryn White | Coordinating Music DirectorKaren Winship | Human Resources Director

Pastors Emeritus: Dave Peterson Gary Bowker

MDPC FEATURES

MDPC Summer Celebration VBSJuly 10-14 sc.mdpc.org

Now Collecting! please help by donating:

old adult-size T-shirts

electronics (none with glass or screens

can be accepted)

snacks/drinks for volunteers

(nut-free, please)

Select Wednesdays 3:00 PM | AmphitheaterSponsored by Prime Timers

Stay for a brief guided discussion of each film and its impact on our Christian faith led by Associate Pastor Rick Myers and Jeanmarie Tade, Interim Adult Ministries Director. Children must be accompanied by a parent.

Wednesday, June 21

FREE ADMISSION & POPCORN!

(pg-13)

Come out for a Family Fun Night at MDPC! the evening by making sandwiches for Kids

Meals, have dinner and then join us for Bingo! Everything takes place in the Fellowship Hall.

Wednesday, June 14

KidsMeals

This is the second Sunday in our summer sermon series, Supporting Characters, about the often-hidden or underrepresented pillars of our faith. These people may have barely been mentioned in the Bible, but each of them impacted a Biblical star in a way that furthered the work of

Christ. Many of us can relate to them, living and working in the wings rather than on center stage.

Today we look at a young man named Epaphroditus, from Pauls letter to the Philippians. Epaphroditus was sent by his home congregation, the church at Philippi, to bring money and support to Paul during the apostles imprisonment in Rome. Epaphroditus stayed with Paul, helping until he took ill himself. Recovering, he asked to return home, and Paul sent his letter to the Philippians back with Epaphroditus, and made sure Epaphrodi-tus was welcomed home, even though he did not complete his assignment with Paul.

1. Read Philippians 2:25-30. From what Paul wrote, what can you gather about Epaphro-ditus and his stay with Paul?

2. What does Paul hope will be the response of the people in Philippi when Epaphroditus returns home?

3. Why do you think Paul feels it is necessary to tell the people to welcome Epaphroditus home? He even says to honor such people (vs. 29). Read between the lines here.

4. Epaphroditus did not finish the work for Paul that he had been given to do. Have you ever had to quit something before it was finished? How did you feel? How did others respond?

5. Why are Pauls words so important both for Epaphroditus and for the church at Philip-pi? Have you ever had a mentor or person senior to you stand up for you, advocate for you, help you over a hard patch? Where might you offer something similar to what Paul offered Epaphroditus? Explain...

6. Read Philippians 4:15-20. What other information do you gather from this passage?

7. Paul says in verse 18 of chapter 4, I have been paid in full. Why, do you think, is that necessary? Why is it important in relationships to thank people for their help and sometimes release them from future obligations?

8. What does Paul teach here about the balance of give and take in any relationship? How are you doing with that equation in your relationships? Where might you risk your life (2:30) for another, like Epaphroditus and Paul?

Sunday, June 11, 2017DIGGING DEEPER

EpaphroditusPhilippians 2:25-30, 4:15-20

Alf Halvorson preaching

Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church11612 Memorial Drive | Houston, Texas 77024 | mdpc.org | 713-782-1710

Lesser-Known Heroes of the Bible